Keeping a good house

As the fear or the Swine flu seems to be edging ever closer to us here in the US and Nebraska I felt it may be a good time just to remind everyone to keep themselves and their uniforms/gear clean. Although I do not anticipate the Swine flu sweeping team Jiu Jitsu Fighter, as the season changes and the temperatures begin to rise we are susceptible to multiple communicable illnesses. I thought I would run down a short list of these community illnesses and easy ways to prevent them in the Dojo. The first and probably the most common way we could come in contact with would be Ringworm. The name can be deceiving, not a worm, but a Fungus that feeds on the skin. Ringworm is characterized by a red ring of small blisters or a red ring of scaly skin that grows outward as the infection spreads. Once the fungus is established, it spreads out in rings. The center of the ring may clear up, while a new ring of infection develops at the edge of the old ring. Ringworm of the body can be spread on towels, clothing, or sports equipment. Personal hygiene is important in preventing the spread of ringworm. The most basic way to prevent contracting or spreading Ringworm is to shower regularly and thoroughly and wash and properly dry your gear after use.

The next and a slightly more serious infection to be aware of is Staph Infection. Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria healthy people can carry on the skin or in the nose. Staph bacteria commonly cause skin infections. Most of these infections are minor, appearing as pimples and boils, and are treated without antibiotics. In addition to skin infections, staph bacteria can cause infections in the blood, in the bones and in the lungs (pneumonia). Most serious staph bacteria infections are treated with an antibiotic related to penicillin. However, over the past 50 years, some staph bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, including the commonly used penicillin-related antibiotics.

Again the best way you can prevent Staph Infection from happening to yourself or others is good personal Hygiene. Shower regularly, keep cuts and scrapes clean and properly bandaged until completely healed, alert your fellow teammate of any uncovered cuts or scrapes on themselves if they are not aware of them and have them covered.

Then there are always the typical common cold and seasonal flu that continue to go around. If you are sick, the best medicine is to get healthy on your own at home. You can contain any or all of these by simply not coming into close contact with others. So while it may be hard to miss practice due to a cold, it is probably best to do so for other's sake.

Sources cited: www.webmd.com and www.cdc.gov